Alvarez's foot fracture has healed and he has begun his regular offseason training program, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday that Alvarez's success at first base will determine how much he plays in 2015. At the same time, the infielder's name has come up in trade discussions, though his value is likely at a low point. The Pirates have two more years of control with Alvarez and recently hired former first baseman, Kevin Young, as a special assistant. Young will likely work with Alvarez defensively.

The Pirates tendered Alvarez a contract prior to Tuesday's deadline.

The organization has already jettisoned its 2014 first base platoon -- Gaby Sanchez and Ike Davis -- clearing the path for Alvarez at first base. He's coming off a disastrous campaign during which he fell victim to the yips at third base and was benched for weeks at a time. He makes for a high-risk, fantasy bounce back candidate in 2015 -- he led the NL with 36 homers (along with Paul Goldschmidt) in 2013. The second-year arbitration-eligible infielder is expected to settle for about $5 million. Look for the Scott Boras-represented Alvarez to find a new home sometime before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Alvarez (foot) is expected to prepare for an everyday role at first base in 2015, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

In dropping Ike Davis from their 40-man roster Thursday, the Pirates effectively cleared the path for Alvarez to play first base, after the former NL home run champ regressed defensively at third base last season. Despite Alvarez's career-long struggles against left-handed pitching, GM Neal Huntington indicated the team would prefer to avoid using the slugger in a platoon with Gaby Sanchez. Such an arrangement is unlikely to prove kind to Alvarez's batting average, but some more guaranteed plate appearances could allow him to reemerge as a 30-home run hitter.

Alvarez (foot) could soon return to baseball activities, according to manager Clint Hurdle, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Alvarez saw a doctor earlier in the week for a stress reaction in his foot that sidelined him for the final month of the season. Once he fully recovers, he should be able to have a normal offseason program, but he'll need to be cleared first. Alvarez finished his 2014 campaign hitting .231/.312/.405, hitting 18 homers in 122 games.

Alvarez (foot) will not be available if the Pirates advance to the play-in game, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Alvarez was expected to miss 4-6 weeks after he was diagnosed with a stress reaction in the fourth metatarsal of his left foot on Sept. 10, so it's no surprise that he won't be available for that contest. However, if the Pirates are able to advance to the NLDS, there's a chance he could return to action, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington did not comment on the likelhood of this occurring, but it apparently isn't out of the realm of possibility at this point. Unfortunately, a projected playoff return is little consolation for fantasy owners who had been hanging on to him during the season's final months.

Alvarez has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in the fourth metatarsal in his left foot, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The Pirates' announcement regarding Alvarez was simply a diagnosis, and while the typical recovery for his type of injury is just 4-to-6 weeks, this effectively ends his 2014 campaign. It was a tumultuous year for the 27-year-old Alvarez, as he lost his job as the regular third baseman and hit just .231/.312/.405 in 122 games. The power was still there (18 home runs), but his future with the club is decidedly cloudy.

The Pirates have an announcement planned regarding Alvarez (foot), Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Manager Clint Hurdle said he is not in position to deliver the news regarding Alvarez, who has not started a game since Aug. 26 due to a foot injury. It's uncertain whether the planned announcement has to do with the foot ailment, but it's a rather ominous development, regardless.

The Pirates are sending testing on Alvarez (foot) back to Pittsburgh in an effort to ascertain an prognosis for the infielder, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

"No update on Pedro. I'm going to wait for the medical team to get all the information that they've been putting together," manager Clint Hurdle said. "I think they were trying to get it to Pittsburgh to have our people look at it. Then we'll a full report with some clarity." Alvarez hasn't started a game since Aug. 26 and his return does not sound imminent.

It appears unlikely that Alvarez (foot) will return to the lineup anytime soon after experiencing a setback during his pinch-hitting appearance Friday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

"The initial diagnostic tests gave us reason to move forward as we did," GM Neal Huntington said. "He's feeling more pain. He's not progressing the way he was before the pinch-hit at-bat. As a result, we need to re-evaluate things and see where we go from there." It sounds as though fantasy owners can bench the infielder for Week 24.

Updating a previous report, Pirates' general manager Neal Huntington stated Sunday that no decision has been made as to whether Alvarez (foot) would travel with the team for the upcoming four-game road trip to Philadelphia, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

Alvarez recently suffered a setback with his foot injury, which has effectively held him out of the starting lineup for 10 straight games. It was reported earlier on Sunday that Alvarez would not make the trip, but it now seems as if the Pirates are reconsidering their options. The 27-year-old third baseman will remain without a timetable for return until a new diagnosis is made. It's currently unclear if he'll be able to help fantasy owners during the final stretch of the season, or if he even has consistent playing time awaiting him upon a return.

Alvarez (foot) will not travel with the Pirates for their upcoming four-game series in Philadelphia, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

Alvarez will instead see a foot specialist regarding his sprained hopes, with the hope of mapping out a clearer treatment plan, in addition to a potential timetable for a return. The Pirates are hoping to have Josh Harrison (ankle) back to cover third base duties in the near future, but Brent Morel is manning the hot corner Sunday. With expanded rosters, there's currently no need to place Alvarez on the disabled list, making it difficult to speculate a return date.

Alvarez (foot) remains out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs.

Even with regular third baseman Josh Harrison (ankle) still out of the lineup, Alvarez doesn't appear healthy enough to play just yet. Brent Morel will man the hot corner for the Sunday afternoon tilt.

Alvarez (foot) sat out both of Saturday's games, even though starting third baseman Josh Harrison was unable to play in Game 2.

If ever there was a game in which the team needed Alvarez's services, it was in Saturday's second game with Harrison out. The fact that Alvarez couldn't play at all goes to show just how much trouble the third baseman's sprained toes continue to give him.

Alvarez (foot) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Alvarez will miss his ninth straight contest due to the sore foot. Gaby Sanchez will get another start at first base in Alvarez's absence.

Alvarez (foot) remains out of the lineup Friday, MLB.com's Tom Singer reports.

He will miss his eighth straight game with the foot injury, although on Wednesday the Pirates said Alvarez would be available off the bench, so that will likely be the case once again. Gaby Sanchez will start at first base Friday.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Alvarez (foot) is available to hit off the bench Wednesday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Hurdle did acknowledge, however, that Alvarez is still "physically unable to play in the field," suggesting that he could still be multiple days away from slotting back in at first base. In the meantime, Ike Davis will continue to assume close to regular duty at first base, with Alvarez limited strictly to pinch-hitting duties.

Manager Clint Hurdle said that Alvarez (foot) "still has some work to do" to get back in the lineup, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Pirates skipper didn't elaborate on any possible timetable for the infielder. Alvarez has been out since Tuesday. He's had a disappointing season with a .232/.313./.406 slash line but he was beginning to heat up prior to his injury.

Alvarez (foot) remains out of the lineup Monday against the Cardinals.

No surprise here, as Alvarez remains unable to run after suffering a foot sprain last Tuesday. He was recently cleared to hit off a tee but a return to the lineup does not appear imminent.

Alvarez (foot) is hitting off a tee but still unable to run, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It doesn't appear that Alvarez will return to the lineup within the next couple days. Ike Davis has played well at first base, further lessening the need to rush Alvarez's bat back into the lineup.

Alvarez (foot) is out of the lineup again Sunday against the Reds.

Alvarez was seen without a walking boot Friday, but has yet to return to the lineup. The team hasn't released a timetable on him, so it's unclear how long he will be unavailable at this point. Ike Davis will start at first base Sunday and bat fifth for the Pirates.